YouTube's gaming store catalog will be more widely rolled out instead of limited to paid.
YouTube announced that its collection of free, lightweight games called Playables will soon be available to everyone in the YouTube app. Previously, the games were made available to select users for testing before reaching Premium members last November.
All YouTube users can also access free games on Playables.
All YouTube users can also access free games on Playables.
Because Playables doesn't make money as paid downloads or through in-app purchases, Playables doesn't directly challenge app stores or violate Apple's rules. However, they still compete with the App Store's free games, which are often downloaded by gamers and generate revenue through advertising.
Free games on YouTube could become another place to serve ads down the line, but for now, Google hasn't shown any intention of monetizing its playable devices. Games can also help YouTube users relax while watching videos and feel tired.
Playables offers some popular titles such as Angry Birds Showdown, Words of Wonders, Cut the Rope, Tomb of the Mask and Trivia Crack, etc. It also includes titles such as Stack Bounce or GameSnacks. With GameSnacks, this will bring gaming to emerging market users where Android dominates.
Google says there are now more than 75 minigames in the Playables catalog. Players using this feature will be able to save their game progress and track the highest scores they achieved. Not everyone will see Playables right away, but the feature will complete its rollout in the coming weeks.
75 games are currently available on Playables and further expansion is promised in the future.
75 games are currently available on Playables and further expansion is promised in the future.
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YouTube isn't the only tech giant looking to expand into gaming. Netflix has been growing its own game catalog through acquisitions, licensing agreements, and in-house game development. Meanwhile, Fortnite maker Epic Games is looking to take advantage of the new EU regulations to bring its game store to European users. Other unexpected companies are also getting into the game, including most recently LinkedIn.
These moves highlight how companies are using games to earn commissions on the App Store while also boosting their own profits. While games from Netflix are available on the App Store, they require a Netflix subscription through the company's website for access.
